These entry-level luxury crossovers offer affordable style

These rides offer good utility, refinement and a dose of sportiness for the family on the move

by
Graeme Fletcher | September 16, 2016

Small

Medium

Large

On the last three Fridays of every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at near-luxury crossovers. The hot deals are on the 2016 Acura RDX AWD, 2016 Lexus NX 200t AWD and 2017 Infiniti QX30 front-drive.

Acura’s popular compact crossover, the RDX, was extensively reworked and restyled for 2016. Not only was the look crisper, it benefited from the inclusion of “Jewel Eye” LED projector headlamps and LED taillights; both facets added more sophistication. Likewise, the cabin took a marked step forward, featuring nicer materials and more content including heated eight-way power seats and a five-inch display with backup camera. Space-wise, the RDX brings 739 litres with the split/folding seatbacks upright and 2,178 litres with them flat.

The RDX earns a 3.5-litre V6 engine with variable cylinder management. It produces 279 horsepower and 252 lb.-ft. of torque, which is enough to motivate the RDX to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. The cylinder deactivation system can shut down three cylinders to conserve fuel when the loads are light. This engine drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Normal and Sport modes. It also has built-in logic to prevent unwanted gear shifting when going downhill or through a corner.

The AWD system has what Acura terms “Intelligent Control.” When pulling away, the system can send up to 40 per cent of the drive torque to the rear wheels. Once up to speed it fires all of the power through the front wheels, but can redistribute the power quickly should the system detect slippage. The RDX’s suspension delivers a good balance between sportiness and ride comfort.

The 2016 Acura RDX AWD has an Unhaggle discount of $3,655 and a pretax price of $40,520.

The all-new 2017 Infiniti QX30, which shares much of its mechanical makeup with the Mercedes-Benz GLA, adds a dash of style to the near-luxury segment. The expressive exterior look flows gracefully into the well-equipped cabin. The list of amenities includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated eight-way power, Nappa leather-appointed front seats with memory, Bluetooth, seven-inch screen with rearview monitor and a smart key. That’s a lot of higher-end equipment given Infiniti’s aggressive pricing. As for utility, the QX30 brings 544 litres with the seats up and a somewhat limited 963 litres (sourced from Infiniti US) with the rear seat down.

The QX30’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four pushes 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque from a very low 1,200 rpm. In the case of the Unhaggle deal, this model drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. This combination brings a run from rest to 100 km/h of 7.2 seconds. The powertrain can be tweaked through a mode selector, with three modes. Some have noted that the lack of a “normal” mode hampers things somewhat — Eco is too soft and Sport is too aggressive. The third mode is Manual. No complaints about the QX30’s nimble handling and comfortable ride. The steering is also poised and pointable, which gives it a sporty feel to its drive.

The 2017 Infiniti QX30, although in its first year, carries an Unhaggle price of $36,125 after a $2,000 discount.

The 2016 Lexus NX 200t is not what one has come to expect from a conservative company like Lexus — it is bold and aimed at a younger buyer. It is also nicely equipped with everything from heated eight-way power front seats to a clean multimedia display with backup camera. The NX is also marked by its modern look and top-notch fit and finish. The nit to pick is found in the “NuLuxe” upholstery — it is, in a word, vinyl, and not really in keeping with the rest of the NX. The utility side sees the NX accommodate 500 litres with the seats upright and 1,545 with them folded down.

The NX 200t is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 235 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,650 rpm. This brings a strong launch and a run to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The six-speed manumatic transmission drives all four wheels. The setup drives the front wheels normally, but it can send up to 50 per cent of the power rearward when the need arises. It is a sorted system that divvies up the power seamlessly. As for road manners, the NX leans toward the handling side with a taut, almost European, feeling when pushed. The final piece of the sporty puzzle is found in the drive mode selector. It allows the driver to choose Eco, Normal and Sport — forget Eco, Normal is for the city and Sport is for when an open road beckons.

The 2016 Lexus NX 200t arrives with a generous Unhaggle discount of $3,020 and a pre-tax price of $41,315.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates both the Acura RDX and Lexus NX 200t as good in all crash test disciplines, as well as naming both a Top Safety Pick+. The Infiniti QX30 has not been rated (nor has the Mercedes-Benz GLA). There are no Transport Canada recalls for this trio of crossovers.

All three entry-level crossovers represent excellent buys. If there is an edge, it goes to the Infiniti QX30 — it is a 2017 model and has a lot of the M-B GLA in its makeup, which bodes well for its future. The caveat to the hot Unhaggle deal is that the smart shopper will drop $2,500 and opt for the QX30’s all-wheel drive system — it acts as a winter safeguard.

*Manufacturer incentive displayed is for cash purchases and may differ if leasing or financing. For more information on purchasing any of these vehicles or others, please visit Unhaggle.com. While data is accurate at time of publication, pricing and incentives may be updated or discontinued by individual dealers or manufacturers at any time. Typically, manufacturer incentives expire at the end of every month. Vehicle availability is also subject to change based on market conditions. Unhaggle Savings is a proprietary estimate of expected discount in addition to manufacturer incentive based on actual savings by Unhaggle customers. Taxes are extra and vary by province.